Redesigned Certified Medical Examiner National Registry Coming Soon

On February 28, 2022, FMCSA will launch a redesigned National Registry.

As a result, the National Registry system will be unavailable from 6:00 p.m. EST on February 25, 2022, until 9:00 a.m. EST on February 28, 2022.

The National Registry will have a new look and feel but users will see the same functions as in the current National Registry system.

Why a redesigned CME website?

This redesign comes after a hacking outage in Dec 2017 caused the registry outage that lasted seven months. During that time, FMCSA suspended medical examiners’ uploading of driver examinations until that functionality was restored.

Since the hacking outage, the FMCSA provided a new search tool to help drivers, motor carriers and state driver’s license agencies to verify that a health care provider is certified and listed on the registry.

Then last year, FMCSA proposed to delay four medical examiner final rule provisions to June 23, 2025 (a ten-year delay), extending from the previous date of June 22, 2021.

These provisions are:

• FMCSA to electronically transmit, from the national registry to the state licensing agencies driver identification information, examination results and restriction information from examinations performed for holders of commercial learner’s permits or commercial driver’s licenses (interstate and intrastate).
• FMCSA to electronically transmit to the state licensing agency medical variance information for all commercial motor vehicle drivers.
• State licensing agencies to post on the Commercial Driver’s License Information System driver record the driver identification, examination results, and restriction information received electronically from FMCSA.
• Motor carriers to no longer be required to verify that commercial learner’s permit/CDL drivers were certified by a certified medical examiner listed on the national registry.

Ultimately, once the rule is fully implemented, motor carriers will no longer be required to verify that CDL/CLP drivers were certified by a certified medical examiner listed on the National Registry.

Read More: DOT physical exams and DOT medical cards: Common questions and issues

Current CME Medical Card process

1. Certified Medical Examiners (CME) will provide CDL drivers a copy of the medical card
2. Motor carriers obtain a copy of the medical card from either the CME or driver
3. Motor carriers verify the CME is listed on the National Registry
4. CDL drivers submit a copy of the medical card to the SDLA within a few days of the exam
5. CDL drivers carry a copy of the medical card for 15 days following the exam
6. SDLAs process the medical card within ten days of receiving it from the driver (to appear on the MVR)
7. Motor carriers retain a copy of the medical card as temporary proof of the driver’s certification
8. Motor carriers obtain an MVR within 15 days of the exam that shows the most recent medical exam

Are you qualifying the drivers you hire?

Meeting FMCSA requirements while hiring CDL and CMV drivers is crucial to compliance. From creating new DQ files, to getting registered in the CDL clearinghouse, to pulling initial MVRs and pre-employment drug tests.

Our New Hire service works well to support or replace your current driver hiring process. The goal is to move each driver through the appropriate steps to ensure DOT Compliance as well as speeding up the driver qualifying process for each applicant. This process is important for several reasons, including reducing driver turnover, accidents and keeping only safe and qualified CMV Drivers on the road.